Thu August 7th 2008

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Rating Italian Wines

While many people are aware of how French and Californian wines are rated and controlled, both of these areas took their cue from Italy. From the time of the Roman Empire, Italian winemakers were governed by laws that defined and controlled the regions where the grapes were grown and the individual names by which the wines were known. Just as Bordeaux, for example, defines not only a kind of grape but also the type of wine from that area of France, Italian wine names or appellations and labels are strictly controlled.

Although the concept of region and wine classification originated in Italy, it wasn’t until the latter half of the twentieth century that Italian wines came under a nationwide control system known as DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). This marking indicates that the particular wine is made in accordance with the controls for that region, indicating the presence of unique characteristics related to climate, natural environment, local culture and quality. The designation as a DOC wine appears as a red seal on the label or, in some cases, on the wax seal covering the cork.

A small number of wines (perhaps fewer than 25) carry the further marking of DOCG; the “G” meaning Garantita showing that the wine is authentic and of exceptional quality, worldwide reputation, and historical relevance.

IGT (Indicazione GeogrAfrica Tipica) is another classification for Italian wines. This translates as "Typical Geographic Indication," certifying the wine as possessing qualities characteristic to the location indicated by its name.

Wines other than those rated DOC, DOCG or IGT are simply called Vino da Tavola, meaning Table Wine.

While the control system is nationwide, the producers in each region, however, establish the standards particular to their region.

An Afterthought…
Italian wines claim a lineage that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. Their diversity of type, variety, and flavor rival any wine producing area of the world. Whether your taste runs to the rich, full-bodied reds, the crisp, flavorful whites, the sparkling dessert wines or that "fine Chianti” (with or without fava beans) that Hannibal Lecter raved about in “Silence of the Lambs,” Italian wines can satisfy every taste.

The journey through Italian wines and winemaking shown here is only the beginning. Explore the wines of this land, sample the differences and find those that you like. Above all, know that the more wines of Italy you try, the more wines you'll want to try. In truth, the words of Caesar apply to the vintages of Italy today as they did in the days of the Empire: Veni, Vidi, Vici . . . I came, I saw, I conquered.

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